Air Quality Action Plan - Enfield Council
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Air Quality Action Plan
Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield Acknowledgements The assistance of Ned Johnson and colleagues from Enfield Council is gratefully acknowledged in the production of this report. 2
L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
Executive Summary
Air quality assessments undertaken by Enfield Council identified that the Government's air quality
objective for annual mean nitrogen dioxide and daily mean PM10 were not been met by the specified
dates. As a consequence the Council designated an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) across
the whole of the Borough and produced an Air Quality Action Plan in recognition of the legal
requirement on the Council to work towards air quality objectives within the Borough; this is as
required under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and the relevant air quality regulations.
This document revises the Council’s first Air Quality Action Plan, updating and detailing the measures
that Enfield Council and its partners are taking, intending and considering that will help to improve air
quality and fulfil its statutory duties.
Most of the air pollution in the Enfield AQMA is caused by road traffic. The Air Quality Action Plan
reflects this by including measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles on the roads. Enfield
Council is also addressing emissions from non-road sources such as industrial, commercial and
domestic activities for the area declared.
The Air Quality Action Plan is a working document that should stimulate new ideas and transform
existing policies to improve air quality across the Council and beyond.
Widespread and continuing consultation and participation are essential, both within the Council and
externally with relevant stakeholders and the public. An effective Action Plan, that will achieve its
targets, is one that has gained Member and Corporate commitment and support.
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L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 2
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Introduction to the Enfield Air Quality Action Plan ....................................................................... 8
1.1 Overview................................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Background............................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Effects of air quality in the UK............................................................................................... 8
1.2.2 U.K Government’s Air Quality objectives.............................................................................. 8
1.2.3 Enfield Council position......................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Action Plan requirements ......................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Consultation on the draft Air Quality Action Plan ................................................................... 10
1.5 Summary description of the Enfield AQMA ............................................................................ 10
2. Summary of the air quality review and assessment findings for Enfield........................................... 14
2.1 Enfield Further Review and Assessments.............................................................................. 14
2.2 Understanding sources of pollution in the Enfield AQMA....................................................... 14
2.3 Future forecasts of NO2 in the Enfield AQMA ........................................................................ 16
2.4 Monitoring air quality............................................................................................................... 17
3. Building upon existing plans for Enfield ..................................................................................... 19
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 19
3.2 Enfield Council vision.............................................................................................................. 19
3.3 The Enfield Strategy ............................................................................................................... 21
3.3 The Council’s Business Plan 2011-2014................................................................................ 21
3.4 Enfield planning policies ......................................................................................................... 22
3.5 Enfield Carbon Management Plan.......................................................................................... 25
3.6 Enfield Air Quality ................................................................................................................... 26
3.7 Greener Enfield....................................................................................................................... 26
4. Transport policies covering Enfield ............................................................................................ 27
4.1 Background............................................................................................................................. 27
4.2 Enfield’s transport policies ...................................................................................................... 28
5 Transport related options for the Air Quality Action Plan............................................................... 30
5.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 30
5.2 Options appraisal......................................................................................................................... 30
5.3 Outline discussion of options....................................................................................................... 31
5.3.1 Option A .............................................................................................................................. 31
5.3.2 Option B .............................................................................................................................. 31
5.3.3 Option C .............................................................................................................................. 32
5.3.4 Option D .............................................................................................................................. 33
5.3.5 Option E .............................................................................................................................. 33
5.4 Detailed transport options for the Enfield AQMA ........................................................................ 33
5.4.1 Incorporating physical measures in infrastructure schedules............................................... 33
5.4.2 Enforcement of existing regulations ..................................................................................... 34
5.4.3 Supporting beneficial travel choices that are better for air quality........................................ 35
5.4.4 Borough led planning processes and responsibilities .......................................................... 36
6. Identification of Non Transport Related Measures..................................................................... 38
6.1 Proposed actions .................................................................................................................... 38
6.2 Raising Public Awareness through the Council Website........................................................ 38
6.3 Industrial Emissions................................................................................................................ 38
6.4 Energy Efficiency .................................................................................................................... 38
7. Impact assessment .................................................................................................................... 39
7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 39
7.2 Impact assessment................................................................................................................. 39
Implementation .................................................................................................................................. 39
8. Cost Effectiveness...................................................................................................................... 40
8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 40
8.2 Cost effectiveness .................................................................................................................. 40
8.3 Monitoring progress on the Enfield Air Quality Action Plan.................................................... 41
8.4 Prioritisation of Air Quality Actions ......................................................................................... 47
9. Consultation and stakeholder engagement ............................................................................... 48
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Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield 9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 48 9.2 Stakeholder involvement ........................................................................................................ 48 9.3 Council decision making ......................................................................................................... 48 References ............................................................................................................................................ 49 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 51 Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 53 6
L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
List of Figures
Figure 1 Predicted 2007 annual mean NO2 concentrations in Enfield.................................................. 11
Figure 2 Predicted 2007 annual mean PM10 concentrations in Enfield ................................................ 12
Figure 3 Predicted 2007 daily mean PM10 concentrations in Enfield.................................................... 13
Figure 4 Indicative source apportionment of NO2 in Enfield ................................................................. 15
Figure 5 LAQN annual mean index values for NOx, NO2 (and O3) ....................................................... 16
Figure 6 Enfield 5 monitoring site at Bowes Primary School (showing A406 in background) .............. 17
List of Tables
Table 1 Possible transport related measures ....................................................................................... 30
Table 2 Responsibility for AQAP actions .............................................................................................. 39
Table 3 Air Quality impact rating descriptions....................................................................................... 40
Table 4 Cost rating descriptions ........................................................................................................... 41
Table 5 Cost Effectiveness Matrix ........................................................................................................ 41
Table 6 Air Quality Action Plan Proposals ............................................................................................ 42
Table 7 Air quality objectives (from Air Quality Regulations 2000 and Amendment Regulations 2002)
....................................................................................................................................................... 51
Table 8 Automatic NO2 monitoring of annual mean concentrations in the Enfield AQMA (2008 to
2010) .............................................................................................................................................. 53
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Table 9 Bias adjusted NO2 diffusion tube monitoring in the Enfield AQMA (2008 to 2010) (µg m ) ... 53
Table 10 Details of diffusion tube monitoring sites in the Enfield (from 2011 Progress Report) .......... 54
Table 11 Automatic PM10 monitoring of annual mean concentrations in the Enfield AQMA (2008 to
2010) .............................................................................................................................................. 54
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Table 12 Automatic PM10 monitoring for number of days exceeding 50 µg m in the Enfield AQMA
(2008 to 2010) (Bold indicates greater than UK AQS objective) ................................................... 55
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Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield 1. Introduction to the Enfield Air Quality Action Plan 1.1 Overview This is the revised Air Quality Action Plan for Enfield Council (the “Council”) that will help to improve air quality and work towards the achievement of the Government's air quality objectives in the designated Air Quality Management Area across the Borough. The Air Quality Action Plan includes details of existing initiatives as well as proposed measures and their implementation. The Air Quality Action Plan is a statutory requirement and part of the Council’s continuing Local Air Quality Management responsibilities under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995. The Council is seeking to produce the Action Plan in partnership with other stakeholder organisations and for that purpose is working closely with other agencies. The purpose of the Action Plan, as required by section 84 of the Environment Act, is to outline measures “in pursuit of the achievement of air quality standards and objectives in the designated area, of any powers exercisable by the authority”. 1.2 Background 1.2.1 Effects of air quality in the UK Air pollution affects the quality of air that we breathe and although air quality has improved in the UK in recent decades, evidence shows that invisible pollutants in the present day can still significantly harm human health and the environment. Exposure to poor air quality can have a long-term effect on health; this is associated with premature mortality due to cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) effects. In the shorter-term, high pollution episodes can trigger increased admissions to hospital and contribute to the premature death of those people that are more vulnerable to daily changes in levels of air pollutants. Air pollution can also have negative impacts on our environment, both in terms of direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirectly through effects on the acid and nutrient status of soils and waters. Recent estimates indicate that poor air quality reduces the life expectancy of everyone in the UK by an average of seven to eight months. The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) further noted that the impact of air quality on life expectancy is considered greater than that from both road traffic accidents and passive smoking (EAC, 2010). The EAC also, more recently, in calling for more government action stated that “Four thousand people died as a result of the Great Smog of London in 1952 and this led to the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956. In 2008, 4,000 people died in London from air pollution and 30,000 died across the whole of the UK” (EAC, 2011). 1.2.2 U.K Government’s Air Quality objectives Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 introduced new responsibilities to both national and local government throughout the UK. These responsibilities include the requirement upon the national government and devolved administrations to develop an Air Quality Strategy (AQS) for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The overall purpose of the AQS is to seek improvements in air quality for the benefit of public health. The first AQS was produced in 1997; it was amended in 2000 and the most recent version was produced in 2007 (Defra, 2007). Local air quality management (LAQM) was also introduced by the Environment Act 1995. It requires local authorities to periodically review and assess air quality across their areas. The AQS confirms that LAQM provides a major component of the government’s plan for air quality improvement across the UK. Air quality objectives have been set for those air pollutants deemed to be of most concern and seven of these are included under the LAQM regime. A summary of these pollutants and the air quality objectives is given in Appendix 1. The objectives are all based on health-based standards using scientific advice, taking into account the likely cost and benefits, as well as feasibility and practicality in meeting the objectives. The objectives are mostly in line with the limit values prescribed by EU Directives, although additional objectives (including bringing forward the date for compliance) have 8
L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
been included for some pollutants. (Note – the responsibility for meeting the EU limit values falls on
the UK government).
1.2.3 Enfield Council position
The LAQM process requires a phased approach over the period from 1999 to 2017, during which a
local authority is required to undertake separate rounds of the review and assessment of air quality in
its area. All local authorities are required to undertake Updating and Screening Assessments (USA).
These start every new round of review and assessment, beginning in the following years: 2003, 2006,
2009, 2012 and 2015. The purpose of the USA is to ensure that each local authority undertakes a
level of assessment that is commensurate with the risk of an air quality objective being exceeded.
The process also requires a Detailed Assessment to determine whether an Air Quality Management
Area (AQMA) is needed. If an AQMA is designated, the Council must undertake a Further
Assessment of air quality and produce an Air Quality Action Plan.
The Council has assessed and screened: benzene, 1,3 butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead and
sulphur dioxide in its regular Updating and Screening Assessments and found that these pollutants
were not likely to exceed to the air quality objectives in the Borough (see Table 7).
However for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) the Council undertook a Detailed
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Assessments. These showed that the annual mean objective of 40 µg m for NO2 and daily mean
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objective of 50 µg m (not to be exceeded more than 35 days in one year) for PM10 were exceeded in
parts of the Borough. As a result the Council declared an AQMA across the Borough for these
pollutants. The outcomes of updated assessments of both NO2 and PM10 are shown in the figures in
section 1.5 below.
1.3 Action Plan requirements
The policy guidance, issued by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) i.e.
LAQM. PG 09 (Defra, 2009), provides advice as to how the Council should develop its Air Quality
Action Plan. The guidance indicates that a detailed description of actions, the dates by which these
are to be achieved and information on how achievement is to be measured is an integral part of action
planning. Where possible, Action Plans should include a quantified projected outcome with timescales
for reporting against in subsequent progress reports. Furthermore the Part IV of the Environment Act
also permits the Council from time to time to revise its Action Plan.
Importantly however, the guidance notes that it will often be the case that most measures in an Action
Plan cannot be quantified. In these cases, qualitative information, along with any quantifiable
information as far as is possible, is expected.
The Air Quality Action Plan must include the following:
• Quantification of the source contributions to the predicted exceedences of the relevant objectives;
this will allow the Air Quality Action Plan measures to be effectively targeted.
• Evidence that all available options have been considered.
• How the Council will use its powers and also work in conjunction with other organisations in pursuit
of the air quality objectives.
• Clear timescales in which the authority and other organisations and agencies propose to implement
the measures within its plan.
• Where possible, quantification of the expected impacts of the proposed measures and an indication
as to whether the measures will be sufficient to meet the air quality objectives. Where feasible, data
on emissions could be included as well as data on concentrations where possible.
• How the Council intends to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.
The Council is also required to consider the wider economic, social and environmental impact,
bearing in mind other legal requirements and policy drivers.
9Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
1.4 Consultation on the draft Air Quality Action Plan
Consultation is an important part of the LAQM regime and the Council must consult appropriate
agencies and organisations after developing options in the preparation of the Air Quality Action Plan.
The following list includes those to be consulted:
1. Defra
2. Neighbouring local authorities;
3. Other public authorities as appropriate; and
4. Bodies representing local business interests and other organisations as appropriate
(potentially including representatives of the public e.g. community councils).
The LAQM PG 09 guidance recommends that the consultation exercise should not last less than 8 to
12 weeks.
1.5 Summary description of the Enfield AQMA
The Enfield AQMA for nitrogen dioxide and PM10 is borough wide. The following figures indicate the
most recent predictions of the NO2 and PM10 objectives across the Borough (Bureau Veritas, 2009).
For NO2 there are widespread exceedances of the annual mean objective along main roads in the
Borough; these also include the main centres within the Borough, as well as the M25 sited at the
northern of boundary.
For PM10 there are exceedances of the daily mean objective along parts of the busiest main roads in
the Borough, including the M25, A406 North Circular Road and A10. The annual mean objective is
exceeded in parts of the M25 and A406 North Circular Road only, very close to the centre of the
roads.
The effect of changes to future concentrations is discussed in later chapters.
10L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
Figure 1 Predicted 2007 annual mean NO2 concentrations in Enfield
11Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield Figure 2 Predicted 2007 annual mean PM10 concentrations in Enfield 12
L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
Figure 3 Predicted 2007 daily mean PM10 concentrations in Enfield
13Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
2. Summary of the air quality review and assessment findings for
Enfield
2.1 Enfield Further Review and Assessments
Having originally designated an AQMA in 2001, a further assessment of air quality for the AQMA was
then undertaken. This further review and assessment of the Enfield AQMA helped to provide a
technical justification for the measures contained in the subsequent Air Quality Action Plan and
allowed the Council specifically:
• To confirm the original assessment of air quality and to show that the Council was right to
declare the AQMA
• To calculate more accurately how much of an improvement in air quality will be required to
deliver the air quality objectives within the AQMA
• To refine knowledge of the sources of air pollution so that the Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
is properly targeted
• To take account of any developments in local or national policy which have occurred since
the AQMA was declared, which were not factored into the earlier assessment work
This Air Quality Action Plan updates the previous work, incorporating more recent understanding
based on improved knowledge and also recent monitoring and modelling reports for the Enfield area.
The most recent NO2 monitoring reported in the Council’s recent air quality reports (Enfield Air Quality
Progress Report 2011) confirmed the earlier predictions and continued to show that the NO2 annual
mean objective is widely exceeded in the AQMA (see summary of monitoring results for the Enfield
AQMA in Appendix 2). The PM10 predictions also highlight exceedances of the daily mean objective.
To better understand the improvement needed at a location to achieve the AQS objectives, it is
necessary to determine the source emissions that contribute to the overall predicted pollution
concentration. However both pollutant emissions and atmospheric processes, including meteorology,
determine the pollution concentration at any given location. This is additionally complicated by the
varying activities contributing to the sources of emissions.
For NO2, the contribution from the different sources is understood by examining modelled predictions
of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) concentrations. This is because NO2 is mostly a secondary pollutant,
formed from NOx as a result of chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
2.2 Understanding sources of pollution in the Enfield AQMA
For the original Further Assessment a series of locations were selected across the AQMA to help
understand the source contribution of NOx. These sites were chosen to provide a representative
understanding of locations with predicted high concentrations of pollution.
The results also confirmed the importance of road traffic to air quality, with a typical contribution of
around 60% NOx from road transport and the other 40% from various background sources (such as
domestic heating, commercial combustion, etc plus also road transport from beyond the local area).
This total for road transport was based on the median result of the locations examined. With
contributions from car and HGV sources greatly dominating in all locations. Of the background
sources it was noted that almost 50% of this total was also from road transport.
For PM10 the assessment was made against annual mean concentrations at the same locations as
used for the NOx assessment. In this instance the background contribution greatly dominated even
when compared with the all road transport total, although the most polluted locations were those most
influenced by the contribution from road transport. The road sources were dominated by the HDV
category (including buses and HGVs) for all locations.
The source apportionment has also been updated for this revised Air Quality Action Plan using a
similar method to that described in the LAQM Technical Guidance TG 09 guidance. This suggests an
initial separation into local sources along with both regional and local background contributions. It is
14L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
further split into vehicle types (vans/ HGVs, cars and buses). For this exercise the source
apportionment has been based on two of the Council’s roadside monitoring sites that exceeded the
annual mean objective and were operating in 2010; namely Enfield 5 (Bowes Primary School) and 4
(Derby Road). These sites are both in the south of the Borough and therefore closer to central
London.
The source apportionment reflects 2010 concentrations and is for NO2 rather than NOx. The mean
values for the three sites are given in Figure 4.
Figure 4 Indicative source apportionment of NO2 in Enfield
9% 11%
9%
regional background
local background
15% local vans/lorries
local cars
local buses
56%
The mean values for the source apportionment sites highlight the importance of the local background
sources, representing around 50% of the total. This category refers to that component from the
surrounding area of Enfield, as well as neighbouring parts of London. The regional component refers
to the mainly rural contribution from outside of London. The local background component also
includes a significant contribution from road transport as well as domestic sources, such as gas
central heating, plus industrial sources. Of the categories of vehicle types examined, the contribution
from vans and HGVs dominates, with another separate but large contribution from buses. The
contribution from cars (both petrol and diesel) however is smaller. Although as discussed elsewhere
in this Air Quality Action Plan, it should be noted that there are important concerns regarding the
emission factors currently used.
Important points to note from this indicative source apportionment are:
1) The local NO2 (comprising local vans/lorries/ cars and buses) i.e. from vehicles close to the
monitoring site represent slightly less than 50% of the total.
2) The estimates for the local traffic must be considered indicative only in view of the current
uncertainty surrounding emission factors. This includes the view that NOx emissions
especially from diesel cars are more significant than shown in the above estimations (this will
become clearer when the new factors are released).
3) The local background also includes a significant proportion of emissions from road vehicles.
15Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
4) Local air quality management can (at best) only influence the local and local background
components shown above.
2.3 Future forecasts of NO2 in the Enfield AQMA
Updated guidance to TG 09 was released January 2010 to provide factors for determining when an
AQS objective might be met. This guidance used revised adjustments to be applied to measurements
made at roadside sites for future years. These factors were derived from nationally modelled data to
represent “best” estimates, taking into account the future changes in traffic activity and the emission
factors for NOx and primary NO2 for vehicles (both new and old).
The method predicted reductions in annual mean concentrations of NO2 (and PM10) year on year into
the future (as did the previous guidance on future forecasts). This reflected both changes to vehicle
flows and vehicle type (within the vehicle fleet) and the predicted reduction in background
concentrations in the area over time. This predicted reduction into the future was based on forecasts,
which included the uptake of new vehicles over time and the expected reductions in emissions as
required by the agreed European emission standards. Thus the method, of necessity, included many
assumptions and therefore it was idealistic.
Based on these forecasts, concentrations at many sites within the Enfield AQMA (and elsewhere)
were predicted to meet the objectives in the coming few years. However these predictions are now
considered as highly optimistic, since the factoring undertaken has not reflected reality.
This can be clearly seen from monitoring results undertaken within the Borough, as well as those from
elsewhere. Figure 5 shows the LAQN annual mean index based on a selection of sites across
London. This highlights that NOx concentrations reduced from around the year 2000 to 2005, with
only small changes since then. Annual mean NO2 have also reduced, but to a lesser extent and since
2005 have hardly changed (King’s College London, 2011).
These measured concentrations, particularly from London, are failing to fall in line with estimates and
as a result the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned
research to investigate the issue. The results from this indicate that the predicted emission factors
used are not realistic, leading to this over optimistic prediction of improvements in air quality (this is
discussed further in chapter 4 of the Air Quality Action Plan).
Figure 5 LAQN annual mean index values for NOx, NO2 (and O3)
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2.4 Monitoring air quality
The monitoring of air quality in Enfield is crucial if well informed policy decisions are to be made on
matters that could affect pollution levels in the air. The Council undertakes continuous monitoring at
three fixed long-term sites in the Borough:
• Enfield 1 – a suburban background site in Bush Hill Park towards the middle of the
Borough (monitoring at this site commenced in June 1995).
• Enfield 4 - a roadside site in Derby Road in Edmonton, towards the southeast of the
Borough. This site has been operating since February 2000. The sample inlet is
located 6m from the road and the site monitors NO2 and PM10 (by BAM).
• Enfield 5 - a roadside site at Bowes Primary School in the southwest of the Borough
(site opened in July 2004). The site monitors NO2 and PM10 (by FDMS).
Two other sites in the Borough were closed prior to 2008. These were a roadside site at Church
Street in Enfield and a background site in Ponders End.
The above sites are also representative of relevant exposure. All the sites are part of the London Air
Quality Network and therefore the standards of QA/QC are similar to those of the Government’s
AURN sites. Regular calibrations are carried out, with subsequent data ratification undertaken by the
ERG at King’s College London. In all cases the data are fully ratified unless reported otherwise.
Further details of the sites can be found at www.londonair.org.uk
Figure 6 Enfield 5 monitoring site at Bowes Primary School (showing A406 in background)
The pollution levels measured at these stations and the biased adjusted results from the Council’s
NO2 diffusion tubes network were used in all review and assessment work.
All Enfield's Air Quality Reports can be accessed on its website at:
http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/413/pollution_control-air_quality/333/pollution_control__air_quality
For historical air quality data in Enfield see the London Air Quality Network website at:
http://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx
It is worth noting that the monitoring establishes the concentration of the pollutant measured at the
location where it is undertaken. This concentration is averaged over the period of time for the
objective; in the case of annual mean concentrations it is the preceding calendar year. Thus the
concentration is related to both the prevailing pollutant emission conditions and the prevailing
meteorology for that previous calendar year. In both instances there can be changes between years
and therefore there is inter annual variation between the sets of measurements for the same location.
17Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
This, for example, can mean that the measured concentration is higher in a subsequent year (as well
as a previous year). As a result of this the objective can be achieved one year and not the next.
To take account of this inter annual variation some authorities have adopted an estimated margin of
uncertainty (of 10%) with the objective. This in effect means that to meet the NO2 objective an annual
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mean of 36 µg m (as opposed to 40 µg m ) must be achieved. A similar finding would be found
using probabilistic methods.
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3. Building upon existing plans for Enfield
3.1 Introduction
The actions that the Council can propose in an Air Quality Action Plan are clearly not in isolation to
actions that are already being implemented by both the Council and other bodies, including the Mayor
for London and Transport for London (TfL). These include measures that are important to Enfield and
build upon the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy (GLA, 2010). Recent Mayor led measures include seeking
to reduce PM10 emissions in parts of London (GLA, 2011).
This chapter sets out the context; including actions that Enfield Council is currently taking and
intending to take to improve air quality in the Borough. The actions described include those taken by
the Council on its own, and those taken in partnership with the local community, local businesses as
well as other regional and national agencies.
The Action Plan seeks to be consistent and build on other actions such as the Enfield Strategy,
Council Corporate Plan and the newly emerging Local Development Framework. Importantly it also
seeks consistency with the Council’s Local Implementation Plan (see chapter 4).
The Action Plan reflects that air pollution arises from a wide variety of sources including those relating
to domestic, commercial and industrial activities, as well as road transport (which is the most pertinent
for the purposes of this Action Plan). It also draws on all the measures that the Council is taking
where air quality will benefit and also seeks to show how these actions have a wider significance.
The wide range of strategies and measures provided is intended to highlight those that can improve
air quality in the Borough and are complementary to this Air Quality Action Plan.
3.2 Enfield Council vision
As a Council, we stand for Fairness for All, Growth and Sustainability and Strong Communities.
We are committed to tackling the inequalities present in the borough and to providing high quality
services for all.
In our role as local leader, we will ensure that Enfield makes a strong recovery from the recession,
and that growth, businesses and jobs are attracted to the area.
We will invest in and safeguard our children and young people, building strong, empowered
communities, where vulnerable people are protected, and residents feel safe, are healthy and take
responsibility for their local environment. We will regenerate our most deprived areas and promote
sustainability.
This vision is spelt out further overleaf:
19Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
Our vision, aims and priorities
Our vision is to make Enfield a better place to live and work, delivering
fairness for all, growth and sustainability and strong communities.
Underpinning this commitment we have a number of priorities, the delivery of
which will contribute to improving the quality of life for all residents in the
borough.
1. Fairness for all
Fairness for all means meeting the needs of all residents in the borough,
protecting vulnerable residents and providing fair and equal access to
services and opportunities. Tackling the inequalities in the Borough is at the
heart of what we want to achieve for Enfield.
Our priorities are to:
• Serve the whole borough fairly and tackle inequality
• Provide high quality, affordable and accessible services for all
• Enable young people to achieve their potential
2. Growth and sustainability
Like many areas of the country, Enfield has suffered during the recent
recession. Unemployment has risen, and many of the problems already
present within the borough have been exacerbated. Demonstrating that
Enfield is open for business will ensure that the borough makes a strong and
sustainable recovery from the recession.
Our priorities are:
• A clean, green and sustainable environment
• Bring growth, jobs and opportunity to the borough
3. Strong communities
Building strong, cohesive and resilient communities will be vital as Enfield
continues to grow and change as a borough. We want Enfield to be a place
where people feel proud to live, where people from all different backgrounds
are welcomed and supported, where vulnerable people are protected, and
where people take responsibility for their own lives and their communities.
Our priorities are to:
• Encourage active citizenship
• Listen to the needs of local people and be open and accountable
• Provide strong leadership to champion the needs of Enfield
• Work in partnership with others to ensure Enfield is a safe and healthy
place to live
20L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
3.3 The Enfield Strategy
The Enfield Strategic Partnership (ESP) is the Local Strategic Partnership for the London Borough of
Enfield. The Partnership brings together key public sector organisations, local businesses, community
and voluntary groups to work collectively to improve the quality of life for local people.
The Sustainable Communities Strategy 'Enfield's Future' is an overarching strategy that describes the
long-term vision developed by the ESP after consultation with local people and businesses. The
Council strategy sets out the vision to make Enfield a better place to live and work, delivering fairness
for all, growth and sustainability and strong communities. Underpinning this commitment there are a
number of priorities, the delivery of which will contribute to improving the quality of life for all residents
in the borough.
In 2007 we launched our first Sustainable Community Strategy, which set out our ten-year vision for
the future of Enfield. The ESP is committed to making Enfield
"A healthy, prosperous, cohesive community living in a borough that is safe clean and green."
The ESP demonstrates how local organisations are working together to make a difference and
improve the quality of life in the borough by addressing important issues such as safety, health,
education, housing, economic prosperity, transport and environmental sustainability.
'Enfield's Future' was updated in 2009 to ensure that it remained current. The partnership has already
delivered real improvements, particularly in the most deprived parts of the borough. The revised
Sustainable Community Strategy, "Enfield's Future 2009 - 2019" outlines some of our achievements
and sets out how local organisations will continue to work together and co-ordinate their activities to
realise our vision and deliver on our priorities to make our borough a place we can be proud of, a
place people want to live, both now and in the future.
Selected relevant objectives to this AQAP are
For Children and Young People - To promote safer travel in Enfield
For Healthier Communities - To improve life expectancy across the borough, to improve life
chances by reducing mortality rates from heart disease, stroke and related diseases, to increase
residents’ participation in regular physical activity, to encourage the use of public transport,
walking and cycling
For Older People - to deliver fuel poverty initiatives such as insulation and energy efficient heating
systems to vulnerable households throughout the borough
For Improving the Quality of life through: Employment and Enterprise; Environment; Housing;
Leisure and Culture - to protect and improve the quality of built and open environment, to promote
sustainable development and support residents and businesses to preserve natural resources,
become energy efficient, conserve water, reduce pollution and address the causes of global
warming, to encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling through the promotion of
safer travel
(For further details on the ESP please use the following link - http://www.enfield.gov.uk/esp/).
3.3 The Council’s Business Plan 2011-2014
The Business Plan sets out the major actions that the Council, in many cases working with strategic
partners and other stakeholders, is taking to achieve its vision of making Enfield a better place to live
and work, delivering fairness for all, growth and sustainability and strong communities.
The Council is committed to working in partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of all Enfield’s
residents. This includes providing community leadership in the implementation of the Government’s
proposals and ensuring that local people have a greater voice in the development and delivery of
local health services.
21Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
The Council is exploring different ways of delivering or commissioning services to ensure that they are
sustainable and provide the best possible value for money. We are determined that our services are
driven, as much as possible, by the needs and aspirations of residents across our diverse
communities and the Council is committed to ensuring that these services are responsive and
accessible.
Key to this approach is how the Council operates.
Embedding our values – One Team;
Customer First; Achieving Excellence; and
Empowering People – will enable us to be an effective, sustainable, customer-focused organisation.
Our relevant priorities in line with this AQAP that we plan to undertake are:
Growth and Sustainability
Improve Enfield’s streets and open spaces through better design, cleaner streets and
a greener, more sustainable environment
Develop a range of activities to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce
greenhouse emissions
Improve the sustainability of transport and reduce its impact on Enfield
Develop and implement the plans to transform key areas of Enfield including Ponders
End and North East Enfield; Ladderswood Way and the A406; and Edmonton
Leeside including Meridian Water and Edmonton
Strong Communities
Continue to work in partnership with a wide range of organisations and public bodies
to effectively address local issues
Reduce health inequalities in Enfield and improve the health and wellbeing of all
residents
This Air Quality Action Plan forms part of this Business Plan and the overlapping actions are
discussed further later in this plan.
3.4 Enfield planning policies
Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our Borough thus making
a central contribution to our well being and quality of life by creating opportunities for development;
conserving environmental quality; achieving sustainable development; promoting public participation;
and helping to protect the rights of the individual.
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act came into effect in September 2004, introducing new
arrangements for development planning. The Local Development Framework (LDF), which is a
portfolio of documents, delivers the arrangements for spatial planning in Enfield. It replaces the
existing Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The LDF spatial planning system exists to deliver positive
social, economic and environmental outcomes and an integral part of the system is consultation. The
preparation of the LDF is a continual process with documents being prepared and reviewed in turn to
ensure that they are up to date.
In the shorter term and on its own it, the planning system will not solve Enfield’s air quality problems.
However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable development as well as
conserving existing environmental quality.
The LDF will guide planning and development in Enfield to 2025. The LDF delivers the spatial
development strategy for the Borough and builds upon existing local and London wide strategies and
initiatives.
Our LDF is made up of a number of documents. The Enfield Plan will not be a single document but a
folder of Local Development Documents (LDDs) including:
22L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
Procedural documents:
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
Development Plan Documents:
Core Strategy
Proposals Map
Sites Schedule
North London Waste Plan
Enfield Town Area Action Plan
North Circular Area Action Plan
North East Enfield Area Action Plan
Central Leeside Area Action Plan
A key document and the first document to be adopted under the Act was the Enfield Plan - Core
Strategy. This development plan document was adopted November 2010.
The Core Strategy sets out strategic objectives for the Borough drawn from the current geographic,
economic, social and environmental situation in the Borough; the planning challenges that need to be
addressed (including the Mayor for London’s London Plan and the separate Transport Strategy); and
the proposed approach for addressing these challenges and the alternative approaches that have
been considered. It further sets out the long-term aspirations for Enfield and indicates the broad
locations for future housing, employment, retail, infrastructure and other land uses, as well as
providing detailed policies that will be used to assess planning applications. Key features of the
proposed strategy include a significant number of new homes by 2017 and ensuring that the
expansion of population expected in North London is accommodated in sustainable communities.
The Sustainable Community Strategy will lead the LDF priorities and development of the Core
Strategy and area action plans. The LDF will be the spatial expression of the Community Strategy’s
vision for Enfield as "a healthy, prosperous, cohesive community living in a Borough that is safe, clean
and green". The Strategy’s priorities and related objectives with a spatial element inform the
development of the LDF’s spatial vision.
The following strategic objectives outline what will need to be achieved to deliver the Core Strategy
vision and address the key issues that have been identified for the Borough. Although they are
numbered from 1 to 10, they are not ranked by importance.
Strategic Objectives
1. Enabling and focusing change - To meet the future needs of Enfield's existing and future
population by focusing transformational change and growth in the Upper Lee Valley, in existing
town centres and new neighbourhoods, where physical and social infrastructure already exists or
can be improved through planned and phased development. To protect and enhance those parts
of the Borough which currently offer a good quality of life to Enfield's communities.
2. Environmental sustainability - To promote a sustainable pattern of development integrating
infrastructure and housing, reducing the Borough's carbon footprint, minimising the need to travel
and protecting the Borough's green belt and biodiversity. To mitigate and adapt to the impacts of
climate change, promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy including exemplar
schemes as part of regeneration of the Upper Lee Valley area. To manage and reduce flood risk
and pollution, promote sustainable water management and retain sufficient waste management
facilities in the Borough.
23Air Quality Action Plan L.B Enfield
3. Community cohesion - To build upon and work together to revitalise the capacity of existing
communities in those parts of the south and east of the Borough where deprivation and lack of
opportunities are prevalent, particularly in Ponders End, Edmonton Green and New Southgate,
and to provide a framework for the development of a new sustainable community in Central
Leeside, providing a catalyst for regeneration of the Upper Lee Valley. To work with partners in
continuing to make the Borough one of London's safest - supporting improvements in the safety of
Enfield's streets and public spaces.
4. New homes - To facilitate the provision of sustainable constructed new homes of exemplary
space and design standards to meet the aspirations of local people. To meet the housing needs
identified in Enfield's Housing Market Assessment, improving the existing housing stock,
developing new housing, including mixed tenure and providing housing that people choose to
make their long-term home. To ensure new residential development is supported by good public
transport, social, green and utilities infrastructure and achieve the maximum intensity of use
having regard to development plan policy.
5. Education, health and wellbeing - To ensure the capacity and quality of local social
infrastructure provision including schools and further education, health and policing facilities,
social care, retail services, leisure and recreation facilities is sufficient to meet the needs of
Enfield's existing population and new residents. To promote healthier lifestyles and to address the
inequalities in health and educational attainment between Enfield's residents particularly in areas
such as Edmonton Green, Enfield Highway, Ponders End, Turkey Street and Upper Edmonton,
where these issues are more prevalent.
6. Maximising economic potential - To develop a spatial framework for a diverse and
competitive economy in Enfield, maximising the economic potential of the Upper Lee Valley and
town centres, enhancing appropriate employment locations and ensuring a more efficient use of
land. To support new business enterprise and inward investment and economic diversity,
promoting higher wage growth sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy,
knowledge based industries, leisure and services, and capitalising on the benefits arising from the
London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games and its Legacy Transformation. To support a
robust strategy for recovering from the recession, and protection from the troughs of future
economic cycles.
7. Employment and skills - To support job creation and address the levels of unemployment and
economic inactivity particularly in the south and east of the Borough, including amongst young
people and disadvantaged sections of the community, and the development of skills to enable all
residents to access the employment market. To tackle the barriers to employment facing particular
sections of the community.
8. Transportation and accessibility - To enhance traffic flow by the provision of appropriate
infrastructure as well as the promotion of sustainable methods of transport and a pattern of
development that reduces the need to travel. To ensure development is accessible by all means
of transport and that high generating uses are supported by good public transport, walking and
cycling facilities. To seek improved movement and accessibility within the Borough, the North
London sub region and beyond, focusing particularly on improvements to both road and public
transport orbital connections, to improved east-west movement through the Borough, and to
support existing and potential businesses in providing for freight movement. To maximise the
benefits to Enfield arising from the proposals to improve the West Anglia railway in the Upper Lee
Valley.
9. Natural environment - To protect and enhance Enfield’s natural heritage by retaining the open
character of the Borough, safeguarding the green belt and other open space and developing the
wider network of green infrastructure in the Borough. To meet the deficiencies in open spaces
which exist in the east and south of the Borough and improve access to green areas and
waterways (i.e. through River Restoration projects), particularly for the communities close to the
Lee Valley Regional Park.
24L.B Enfield Air Quality Action Plan
10. Built environment - Use a design-led approach to developments and places, while
addressing historic land contamination, in order to promote a step-change in the quality of the built
environment and public realm, creating safe and accessible environments and improve urban
greening with tree planting and landscaping. To maximise the contribution that heritage assets
and existing features make, enhance local distinctiveness and identity, and create safer, stronger
communities.
The spatial strategy for the future development of the Borough is two fold, firstly, to continue to protect
and enhance those parts of Enfield which offer a good quality of life and secondly to take a proactive
approach to focusing change in areas of the Borough where regeneration and the revitalisation of
communities is needed. These are two complementary strands, which together will deliver the
Council's place shaping priorities. The Council will work with its partners and use its powers to help
create the conditions for growth and deliver new homes, jobs, good quality services and environments
in places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. New developments will be
expected to be of the highest quality, maximising sustainability principles and respecting the quality of
the neighbourhoods in which they are located.
To deliver the Council's spatial strategy core policies for four strategic growth areas have been
identified (core policy 1); housing and services (core polices 2 - 12); economic development and
enterprise (13 - 19); delivering physical infrastructure (core policy 20 - 27); environmental protection
and green infrastructure (core policy 28 - 36); and places (37 to 45). In addition a core policy has
been added for implementation and monitoring.
Action Plan Measure
Enfield Local Development Framework
In guiding planning and development in Enfield, the LDF plays an important role in ensuring that the
potential detrimental impacts from new developments are minimised; these impacts include local air
quality. The Council already considers air quality during the development planning process and the
designation of the AQMA presents an additional focus on local air quality during construction and
operational phases of new developments. It is particularly important that proposed developments that
may exert an impact on the AQMA should be subject to specific consideration in view of the potential
impact on local air quality. Furthermore it is also important that all practicable mitigation measures are
implemented.
Guidance on this issue has been provided by Environmental Protection UK and by the Beacon
Councils, selected under the heading of ”Delivering cleaner air”. The Council will consider how this
and other guidance can be adopted to enable a consistent approach to air quality impact assessment
in the Enfield AQMA and beyond ensuring that the potential effects of future development on air
quality are minimised and that appropriate mitigation measures are provided.
3.5 Enfield Carbon Management Plan
Enfield Council made earlier declarations on carbon management and in 2009 the Council was
selected, amidst strong competition, to take part in the Local Authority Carbon Management
programme. Enfield Council partnered with the Carbon Trust on this ambitious programme to realise
large carbon and cost savings. Under this the Council established a Carbon Management Plan, which
commits to a target of reducing CO2 by 25% by 2014 and underpins potential cumulative financial
savings to the Council of around £3.6 million over the five-year period from 2008/09 baseline levels of
nearly 42,000 tonnes. This collectively works towards the Government’s national long-term carbon
emissions target reduction of 80% by 2050.
The Council’s Carbon Management Plan determines baseline carbon emissions and includes
projects, both technical and strategic, which will also collectively work towards the Government’s
national long-term carbon emissions target reduction of 80% by 2050. To ensure the Council meets
its challenging carbon reduction target, the Carbon Management Plan has been used to capture
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